Chant Sister, Maria: Routines and an End-of-Summer Recipe

Hi beautiful souls,

My first post for Chant Malas, and I’m so excited to work with her and share my experience with you all!
If you have probably read briefly about me here before, you may know that I have been focusing a lot on my health recently due to a few things that have popped up in my life and you know, life is full of surprises right? I have added more consistency to my active life, finding ways to remain active throughout my daily life. Being active has helped me massively to feel better with myself and my mental health. To maintain a balance for myself is so important….well, I am a Libra!

A lot of people have asked me, what do I do when I exercise at home. I stretch a lot and combine my stretching with yoga. When I don’t exercise with weights I do perform a lot of flexibility exercises, as someone with a sedentary job, this is so important to me!

What do I eat is a question I am asked daily, so I thought I share it with you. I eat healthily most of the time, and when I feel I’d like something a little less so, I allow myself this pleasure. The good thing is that I know what my body needs to feel great and I know what my body doesn’t like. In my opinion, knowing your body’s strengths and weaknesses leads you in the right path of your own health.

My routine is as follows but I’ve been feeling recently that I’d like to change it again. I have gained weight as I wanted, now my aim is to remain fit and healthy.

My current routine:
Breakfast: A smoothie packed with plenty of goodies. Coffee once I’m at work and a banana and plenty of water. Before lunch I have another glass of water and a fruit or nuts before.Lunch: I have food from home, as I always cook during the weekdays and allow myself to eat out once or twice a week. I keep that balanced and it is easier for me to know what I eat. I pack my lunch usually with good carbs, fibre foods, not too heavy but heavy enough to feel full and good.In between: I have either nuts, hummus with crackers or a fruit before I head back home and pass by the gym. I make sure my lunches are the ONE, in other words they are the ones that keep me going through the day.Dinner: I get back home after work and gym around 8pm, so I have a smoothie after the gym. And onto the dinner meal, it is less heavy but I do add carbs.

I believe it is so important to adapt food routines for yourself, and notice how you react and how your body feels. I have learned to know my body more and more, and the older I get, the more I discover more new things about myself. I see my healthy journey as a spiritual journey; I feel good after I have put myself to hard work and my mind keeps stimulated. Sometimes I do feel overstimulated and working with and calming this is something that I will be hosting about the future. Meanwhile have a read of my blog and enjoy!

I hope you enjoy my recipe!

Love,

Maria x

Refreshing Summer Salad

Salad recipe:

1 fresh coconut

2 cup spinach

1 can chickpeas

1 red onion

1 cup white cabbage

1 half avocado

Spicy ground paprika

Salt & peppar

Oregano & Basil dressing recipe:

1 cup fresh oregano

1 cup fresh basil

2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

2 tbsp lemon juice

3 tbsp olive oil

Salt to taste

2 tbsp water

1 cup Walnuts

Salad instructions:

1. Marinate the chickpeas in a bowl with the spices.

2. Add them to a clean oven trial and let them roast for 10-15 minutes without burning them.

3. Chop all the other veggie ingredients, mix them together in a bowl. And here, I bought my coconut fresh from my nearest Asian shop, made a hole and removed the water (drank it). Managed in somehow to open it and remove the meat from the coconut. I grated the coconut to small slices – add the slices to the mix.

4. Once the chick peas are done and a bit cooler, add them to the bowl mix with the vegetables.

5. Add the dressing on top and stir it properly and decorate with avocado.

Dressing instructions: Blend all the ingredients in the blender for 2 minutes.

This salad is a good one, if you fancy something fresh and nutritious. I made everything from scratch as I try not to use anything processed. I made a big batch of salad and it still tastes lovely today.

Would you try it? To see other recipes and food pictures. Follow my two instagrams: mariscalxo